Three Major Categories of Wine Cellar Cooling Systems, Trusted Manufacturers and Wine Cellar Cooling Unit Selection Tips
The Concept of Wine Aging and Wine Cellar Cooling
The wine cellar cooling system is often considered the heart of most wine storage rooms. The original concept of wine storage first began in Europe where wines are stored in underground caves; there the natural environment favors the right pace for wine aging. The factors include no UV from the sun, no vibration from outside sources, and above all no fluctuations in temperature or humidity. The goal then is to re-create as closely as possible the nature environment found underground. This ancient and time tested wine storage practice has been proven to be effective over many years, it has therefore set today's standard for proper wine storage and aging.
Do Wine Cellars ALWAYS have to have a Cooling System?
While not all wine cellars have climate controlled wine cooling systems installed we recommend them, especially for the collector who stores wines over an extended period or is looking to properly "age" their wines. They are also recommended for any part of the country that experiences significant periodic seasonal variations in temperature. On the other hand if you are likely to consume your wine fairly quickly then you can probably get away without installing one.
In the State of Tennessee for example where we are based we regularly see high humidity and temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions such as this are definitely not conducive to the long term storage of wine and therefore a good wine room cooling system is essential. In addition we recommend that even external components such as condenser units are kept out of the sun.
As the core of wine cellars, wine cellar cooling units are designed to provide and maintain the ideal temperature and humidity for proper wine aging. The purpose of these systems is to control both the temperature and the humidity, setting the right levels and maintaining the stability of them over time. These are usually the most important factors that determine the longevity and the protection of your investment in your wine collection when stored over extended periods.
Temperature control is vital since wines are particularly sensitive to such environmental factors. It potentially affects the taste, smell and chemical composition of wines if not properly set and maintained. To achieve a suitable environment for wine aging, it’s ideal to maintain a consistent temperature of 55°F inside the wine room. This promotes graceful aging of wines thereby giving wines their perfect taste, smell and quality after long periods of storage.
Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air and that’s another important factor to take into consideration. The right humidity level of 70% helps preserve the moisture in cork, thus keeping its shape and tight seal, preventing air entering the bottle. It's important to maintain a tight seal because when air comes in contact with wine, harmful chemical changes can occur which might significantly affect the quality of your wine; if this is not controlled all your investment will be wasted. You certainly don’t want this to happen.
Wine Cellar Insulation, Wine Cellar Doors and other materials
The wine room cooling systems job is to maintain a consistent environment inside the room, and it may be quite different at times from the external environment, special care therefore should to be taken to insulate and seal the room properly. Issues such as mold, general inefficiency resulting in higher running costs and reduced life span of the mechanical units can result if the room is not insulated and sealed just right.
See our Wine Cellar Insulation Design
Now you have an understanding of the basic dynamics of wine storage, it’s time to get to know more about wine cellar cooling systems themselves. There is an almost bewildering array of choices and categories of wine refrigeration systems and individual wine cooling units. There are also a number of factors to take into account with regard to your room and its location in your home.
Here we'll step you though the things you need to know to make an informed choice. If at any time you have a question simply click on Wine Cellar Cooling Help
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